Thursday, December 1, 2011

The first phase of IHH's water project in Bole Bulbula, Ethiopia has been completed! Last week the people of the community were able to have access to CLEAN water without walking 4 miles, multiple times per day!

The water pipeline runs to the new church site, in the heart of the village and close to the homes. No longer do they need to make the long trek to the water spigot several km away, or pay inflated prices to fill their containers.

Pastor Abdissa reports that over 200 people per day have been filling their containers with fresh, clean, water in the heart of their community, at a very minimal cost compared to before. The cost will be offset by IHH contributions as well as by Misgana Church.

The next phases of the plan includes building a fence around the site, and also the construction of a shower facility for use particularly by the children and youth, to help prevent disease.

Thank you to ALL who have prayed and contributed, and continue to do so. Glory to God!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

IHH has been raising funds for a water pipeline project for the village of Bole Bulbula in Ethiopia, and we are excited to announce that we have received enough funds to begin construction!

With this water pipeline, the families at the village will be able to get precious water within their village. Up until now, the children would use donkeys to carry large buckets to get water from a nearby water source. The trip would be taken 2 or 3 times a day, and the distance to get there and back was over 3 miles.

The water pipeline will extend to the site of the church grounds at the village. The water source will be part of church life in the community, and the church and Jesus's name will receive the glory for bringing water to this community.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Psalm 68:31 says "Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God." IHH, by God's grace, is privileged to be part of God reaching this amazing, historical, ancient land and the people who are so precious to Him. Their hands ARE outstretched. They are ready.

This past January, a team of 4 visited our ministry partners in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where IHH has worked since 2009. The team went as part of a vision/planning trip. It was an amazing 10 days! The team consisted of Cyndi, (the wife of IHH President, Luke Krawietz) their daughter Bethany, as well as two family friends. During their time in Ethiopia, they were privileged to get updates from and strengthen our partnerships, meet with IHH's sponsor children, gather information about future involvement in projects, as well as pray through the possibility of returning with a team this coming summer. We held orphans, laughed and danced with children, ministered to widows, visited those who live in a dump, walked over 3 miles for water with those who don't have clean water in their village, and had a God-ordained time of allowing Him to break our hearts for what breaks His.

As a result of the trip as well as much prayer on the part of our board, we are pleased to let you know that we are planning to return to Ethiopia!

Travel dates: July 7-17, 2011January 3-13, 2012Cost: $2,800Deposit: $350Accomodations: Ethiopia Guest Home (http://www.ethiopiaguesthome.com/)Purpose: James 1:27- visiting widows and orphans in their distress, evangelism, and compassion ministry
Our work will include:

Working in our partner village of Bole Bulbula, playing games with the children, distributing donations and clothing, doing evangelism, prayer-walking, home-visits, supporting the local church's outreach to children and widows, and partcipating in another "water walk"- taking a walk in their shoes as they get their water for the day.

Playing games and doing crafts in 2 Compassion Family International drop-in centers where very disadvantaged children are able to receive preschool education and one meal a day while their parent(s) work to provide for them.

Visiting the people who live at Korah, the trash dump. We will be partnering with a vibrant church that is situated right in the middle of the dump, reaching the outcasts who live there with the message of HOPE. You can learn more about Korah here: http://vimeo.com/13771428

Other ministry plans are in the works, but this gives you an idea of some of the exciting ways God is at work, and how we can directly be a part of it. We plan to post more specifics about our work in Ethiopia in the coming weeks. Here is a video with some glimpses of the beautiful people we are privileged to serve there.

If you feel that Ethiopia could be where God is calling you this summer, complete a mission trip interest form here or email us via our website.